Social Commentaries
Book III, Epigram 4 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Go, book, to Rome; if she shall ask whence you came, you will say "From the district of the Aemilian Way." If she shall ask in what lands, in what city, I am, you may report that I am in Cornelii Forum. She will ask why I am abroad; in brief do you make full confession: "He could not endure the weariness of the futile toga." "When comes he?" she will say; do you reply: "A poet he departed; he will return when he is a harp-player."
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book III, Epigram 4 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/544/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book III, Epigram 4 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/544/.
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